Sidewalk snowplow



May 5, 1931. c. H. FRINK SIDEWALK SNOWPLOW.

Filed Oct. 18, 1929 3' Sheets-Sheet Maw % g r 2 Ar -41):

May 5, 1931.

C. H. FRINK SIDEWALK SNOWPLOW Filed Oct. 18, 1929 3 Sheets$heet 2 I NVENITOR 6, pm

firm/aware May 5, 1931. c. H. FRINK 1,803,754

' SIDEWALK SNOWPLOW Filed Oct. 18. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVE/Y ra/e Mrwass fi r arzr m. Wv

Arm/wars Patented May 5, 1931 CARL H. FRINK, OF CLAYTON, NEW YORK sm'nwarx snowrmw Application filed October 18, 1929. Serial No. 400,527.

This invention relates to a snow plow attachment adapted to be mounted upon the front end of a motor tractor, truck or other self-propelled vehicle to be used more particularly for the removal of snow and me from sidewalks and other relatively narrow pavements.

The main obj ect is to provide a simple, compact and sturdy snow plow capable of being quickly and easily attached to and detached from the front end of any standard make of motor tractor or truck so that the moldboard will extend diagonally across and substantially equal distances beyond the opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the propelling vehicle.

Another object is to enable the plow attachment to be raised and lowered at will and to cause it to be automaticall locked in any position of adjustment agalnst downward movement under its own weight and at the same time to allow free vertical movement of the plow independentlyof its adjustingmeans.

A further object is to corrugate the front face of the moldboard vertically for the purpose of breaking up crust or ice" which may be carried up across said face and thereby to reduce the resistance and liability of clo ing of the snow and iceagainst the moldoard.

Another object is toyieldingly support the moldboard in such manner that it may be free to rock about a horizontal axis in case its lower edge encounters unyielding obstructions and to automatically return such moldboard to its operative position after passing such obstructions and thereby t'o' reduce the liability of breaking or over-straining the plow attachment.

A further object is to provide the plow with an upwardly and forwardly extending shoe adapted to ride over curbs and other obstructions as when the machine is propelled from one side of the street-to another.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the plow and action will be brought out' in the description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor trac-' posts being connected tor and my improved plow attachment operably mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan of the detached plow attachment ready to be coupled to the front end of the motor vehicle as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 33, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken in the plane of line H, Figure 2. 50

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 5-5, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectiona1 vilew taken in the plane o-f'line 6-6, Figure Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of a portion of the moldboard showing the flat surfaces on the concave side thereo 1 In order that the use of my improved snow plow attachment may be clearly understood I have shown it as mounted upon the front end of a relatively sniall motor tractor A standard make so that the moldboardof the plow will be disposed in front of the tractor and diagonal to the longitudinal center thereof to extend substantially equal distances beyond the opposite sides of said longitudinal center and mainly between the outer sides of the tractor.

As illustrated, the skeleton frame of the plow comprises a horizontal bar or angle iron -1 bolted or otherwise secured to the under sides of the opposite lengthwise sills of the tractor frame for receiving and supporting a pair of upright posts or angle irons -2 having-their lower ends bolted or otherwise secured to the front face of the cross bar -1 equal distances from and at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of equal distances therefrom some distance above the hood of the tractor as shown more clearly in Figure 1, the upper ends of said by an additional cross bar or angle iron -3- which is bolted or -otherwise secured to said posts in a plane arallel with and some ower cross bar -1-.

distance above the A pair of lengthwise bars or angle irons -4 are bolted or otherwise secured to the upper cross bar 3- in parallel spaced relation equal distances at opposite sides of the ion itudinal center of the tractor but in relativfiy close relation to extend forwardly and rearwardly beyond said cross bar 3- as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3.

The front ends of the lengthwise bars -4-- are braced to the outer ends of the cross bar 3 by rearwardly diver 'ng brace bars -5 having their front end; bolted or otherwise secured to the front ends ofthe bars '4- and their rear ends bolted or otherwise secured to the outer ends of the cross bar 3- as shown more clearly in Figure 2.

The front ends of the lengthwise bars 4 are also braced to the lower portions of the upright posts -2- by downwardly and rearwardly extendin brace bars -6 having their upper ends olted or otherwise secured to the front ends of the bars --4- and their rear ends similarly secured to the opposite upright posts -2 a relatively short distance above the lower cross bar -1- as shown in Figures 1 and 3. a The intermediate rtions of the upright posts 2- may be a ditionally braced to the rear portion of the tractor frame -a--'by brace bars 7 having their front ends bolted or otherwise secured to the corresponding posts 2' and their rear,ends extended along the outer sides of the hood of the tractor frame a'- as shown more clearly in Figures 1, 3 and 5.

The parts of the plow attachment thus far described constitute whatmay be termed a skeleton frame which, when secured to the under sides ofthe front ends ofthe tractor sills -+a-, is substantially rigid with the tractor frame and is adapted to carry the plow in a manner presently described.

As illustrated this plow comprises a moldboard 8 which is concave-convex in vertical cross section with its concave side facing forwardly and is supported in a manner front end thereof, said moldboard being provided with a multiplicity of flat surfaces arranged in sequence vertically from its lower to its u per edge as shown more clearly in Figure to break its curvedcontinuity for the purpose of breaking up the crust and ice which may be impinged thereagainst and thereby to reduce to a minimum the resistance to forward movement and liabilityof congestion of the snow and ice within the area of the moldboard when the plow is in operation.

A lengthwise reinforcing bar 9-- pref erably of angleiron is bolted or otherwise secured to the rear face of the moldboard adjacent its lower edge and parallel thereformation or against excessive springing acwitih as shown more clearly in Figures 1 an 3.

A scraper blade -10- of hardened steel or equivalent material is bolted' or otherwise secured to the front face of themoldboard near its lower edge to incline downwardly andforwa'r'dly therefrom so that its lower edge may bedisposed in a substantially horizontal p ane parallel with the lower ed e of the moldboard, the same bolts being use for securing the scraper blade and reinforcing bar to said moldboard as shown in Figure 3.

The upper ed e of the moldboard is deflected rearward y and downwardly to form an angular reinforcing) flange 11which cooperates with the ar 9-- and blade 10 to stiffen the'inoldboard against detion when in operation.

Additional upright reinforcing bars 12- arebolted or otherwise secured to the rear face ofthe moldboard near the ends thereof and in longitudinally spaced parallel relation to extend from the upper face,

of the. lower reinforcing bar 9- to the under side of the rearwardly projecting upper flange --11--, said reinforcing bars :12-- being made to conform to the curvature of the moldboard as shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 3.

The portions of the u right reinforcing bars -12 between the on itudinal center of the moldboard 8- and orizontal reinforcing member -9 are provided with 'rearwardly turned flanges -12--, preferably integral therewith to form U-shaped clips for the reception of the front ends of a air of thrust bars 13 which are hingedy connected to'said clips by pivotal bolts 14- and are also pivotally connected at their rear ends by ivotal bolts -15- to the upright lower en s of the upright posts A pair of additional thrust bars 1 6 are hin edly connected at their front ends to a U-s aped clip --17 on the rear face of the central portion of the moldboard -8-- in about the same plane as the clips 12'-, the rear ends of said thrust bars -16- being pivotally connected to the bolts 15.

The outer thrust bars 13- are forward- 1y divergent'from the pivotal bolts 15 to the clips -'-12'- to exert forward thrusts upon opposite ends of the moldboard when the machine is propelled forwardly.

' The thrust bars -16 are rearwardly divergent from the clip --17-- to the pivotal bolts --15' on the posts '2- so that the forward ends are brought into close contact and embrace the U-shaped clip 17-' which is located substantially midway between the clips 12'-- and also substantially midway between the ends of the moldboard whereby the thrust bars 16- exert forward thrusts upon the central portion of the moldboard as the machine is propelled forwardl the points of enga ement of theforward y con- V vergin ends the thrust bars 16being locate in substantial alinement with the longitudinal center of the machine.

The pivotal oints of connection of the bars --13- an .16 with the moldboard,

or rather with the upright reinforcing bars -12 and cli bolt 17, are disposed in substantially t e same horizontal plane belowthe horizontal center of the moldboard and still an appreciable distance above the" bottom of said moldboard to allow a limited vforward and rearward tilting movement of the moldboard about the axis of the pivotal members --14 and -17-- particularly in case the scra er blade should encounter more or ess. unyielding obstructions.-

The pivotal bolts --15 for the rear ends of the thrust bars 13- and -16- are coaxial and at right angles to the 'center-linef of'the machine and permit the moldboard and thrust bars to rock vertically about the axis thereof to lower and raise the mold-' board to and from the pavement.

I theupper horizontal bars -4-so that its connected by a brace bar -21' for. rein-' forcing purposes shown more clearly in Figures1and3.

tube --23 in holding the latter in fixed spaced relation so a . -21 is divided vertically and its opposite opposite arms may diverge forwardly from the pivot, thefront ends. of the arms being The pivotal bolt -22' is extended trans verselyacross and through apertures in opp'osite sides of the bars --4- and has'its intermediate ortion enclosed by -a' spacing tween the bars 4'- to assist as shown more clearly in Figure 4. I

The angular portion of the bell crank lever sides are spread apartto overlap upon the outer faces of the adjacent portions of the bars -4 and are apertured to receive the pivotal bolt -22 as shown in Figure 2, the front ends of the opposite sides of the bell crank lever being brought together and provided with a series of apertures 24- 1n spaced relation for receiving the grab hook" and permitting the latter to beadjusted to different positions relatively to the fulcrum or pivotal bolt 22 as may be required to vary the vertical movement of the moldboard of the plow by predetermined angular movement of the bell crank lever.

- self-locking pawl 28.-

The front end of the upper arm of the bell crank lever .-21- is provided with a pivoted clevice -'-25- for receiving a hook -26-. of a tackle block -27' having a An additional tackle block 29- is provided with a hook 30-- adapted to be attached to a clevice -31't which ispivoted at -32 to the rear end of the upper horizontal bars -4- as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These tackle blocks -27- and 29 are adapted to receive conventional sheaves around which is passed a cable -,-33 having one end attached to the tackle blockv e27- and its other end -33- extended rear-wardly within convenient reaching distance of the operator of the machine.

. The rearwardly extending portion -33'- of the cable .-33'- is operably connected to the locking pawl --28-- in such manner that when the cable is tightened for raising the plow through the medium of the bell crank lever -21; and chains -18- the locking pawl will be released but will automatically return to its locking position immediately upon release of the rearwardly extending portion 33.- of the cable.

As previously stated the moldboard 8- is pivotally attached by the members -14-- and 17-'to the thrust arms 13 and -.16 to permit 1t to rock forwardly about the axis of those pivots in case the sore er blade -1Q should encounter more or ess rigid obstructions in its line oftravel thereby reducing to a minimum, breakage or impairment of the plow incidental to such obstructions.

restored to its operative position after passing over such obstructions I have provided a pair of coil springs -35 having their upper front ends connected to the upright bars 12,- some distance above the pivotal bolts -1 1 and their lower rear ends connected by chains -'36 to suitable clevices -37- on the intermediate portions of the outer thrust bars -13- some distance to' the rear of the ivotal bolts 1 as shown more clearly in igure 2.

These retracting springs 35 and their chains -36 extend downwardly and rearwardly in inclined planes from their points of attachment to the upright bars -12- to the thrust bars ,13 so that in case the lower edge of the scraper blade should encounter more or less rigid obstacles sufficient to rock the moldboard about the axis of the pivotal bolts --14-- and -17'- such movement would be resisted by the springs -35-- which would affect the instantaneous return of the moldboard to its operative position after In order that'the plow inay be immediatelypassing such obstruction until limited by the -38 of hardened steel or equivalent material having their front ends projecting beyond the front edge of the scraper blade -10 in upwardly inclined planes at 39- and their rear ends also bent upwardly at *40 to enable the plow to ride along and upon the surface of the snow, ice or pavement. the upturned rear ends 4-0- being connected to the intermediate portions of the upright reinforcing bars 12- by braces 4l. Figures 1 and The runner -3S for the advance end (in this instance the righthand end) of the diagonally disposed moldboard 9- extends 'l'orwardly a greater distance beyond the front edge of the scraper blade 10- than the runner -$38'- at the opposite end and has the front end of its upwardly inclined portion 39 connected by a U-shaped brace 42-- to the corresponding end of the upper flange 11 of the moldboard, said brace -4E2 having its apex at the front so that its opposite arms diverge rearwardly from said apex.

The lower arm of the brace -42- is therefore disposed in an upwardly and forwardly inclined plane and is bolted or otherwise secured to the underside of the extension 39 of the adjacent runner to form an additional rider bar 42 adapted to ride over curbs and other obstructions when the plow is being transferred from one location to another, as for example, across the streets, it being understood that the plow is free to move vertically by reason of the pivotal connection of its thrust links 13 and 16- with the lower ends of the upright posts 2 A substantially horizontal rub iron -43- is secured to the apex of the brace 42 and to the corresponding upright reinforcing bar -l2 so as to substantially bisect the angle of the brace bar -42- and has its forward end curved inwardly at43 to reduce the liability of the engagement of the front end of the brace bar and adjacent end of the plow with fences, bushes and other obstructions by simply deflecting those obstructions if possible or deflecting the plow laterally thererom.

A landside plate 45 is secured along its upper edge to the guard rail or rub iron 43 to extend downwardly therefrom between the lower upwardly inclined portions -39- and 4i2 of the runner 38 and guard rail 42 respectively and adjacent end of the moldboard -9 for preventing side thrust of the plow particularly when passing through deep snow.

Operation \Vhen the snow plow is mounted upon the front end of the tractor in the manner described the moldboard 9 and its thrust bars l3 and 16 will be adjusted through the medium of the cable 33 and bell crank lever ,21 to permit the scraper blade l0 on the lower edge of the moldboard to engage the sidewalk surface so that the latter may be cleaned from snow and ice by the forward movement of the tractor which movement is imparted to the plow through the medium of the thrust bars -l3 :1 ml 16-.

In case the snow plow should encounter any serious obstructions in its path of movement the upturned ends of the runner 38- and 38 and the lower part of the brace -42- will readily ride over those obstructions thereby elevating the plow which is permitted by the flexibility of the chains 18.

Or in the event that the scraper blade should cni-ountermore or less rigid obstructions sulliclent to tilt the lower edge of the moldboa rd rearwardly and thereby elevate the plow the latter would be immediately restored to its operative position by the springs after passing such obstruction.

\Vhen desired the plow may be raised clear of the pavement by simply drawing rearwardl y upon the portion -33-- of the cable thereby rocking the bell crank 21 rearwardly and upwardly and effecting a corresponding elevation of the plow through the medium of the chains 18.

A separate vertical. adjustment of the snow plow relatively to the pavement may be made by simply engaging one or the other of the links of the chain l8 in the grab book 20.

The front surface of the moldboard -9 serves to break up any crust which may be formed uponthe snow and also any ice which maybe dislodged from the pavement by the scraper blade 10 and greatly assists in reducing resistance to the operation of the plow.

Otherwise the construction and operation of the machine has been described in such clear and exact terms as to enable anyone skilled in the art to make and use the same.

lVhat I claim is 1. A snow plow attachment for motor tractors comprising a cross bar having means for securement to the front end of the tractor frame, upright posts secured to the cross bar in transversely spaced parallel relation, an additional cross bar secured to the upper ends of the posts, lengthwise bars secured to the upper cross bar to extend forwardly and rearwardly therefrom, braces between the front ends of the lengthwise bars and posts, a mold board extending diagonally across and to opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the tractor frame some distance in front of the posts. thrust bars pivoted to the lower ends of said posts and diverging forwardly therefrom and having their front ends pivotally connected to the moldboard to permit the latter to swing forwardly and rearwardly, spring connections between the moldboard and thrust bars, and means including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted upon the front end of the upper lengthwise bars for raising and lowering the mold- 7 board. 7

2. A snow plow attachment for motor tractors comprising a frame having means for attachment to the tractor frame, thrust bars pivoted to the first named frame and diverging forwardly therefrom, additional thrust bars pivoted to the first named frame coaxial with the pivots of the first named thrust bars and converging forwardly from their pivots substantially midway between said first named thrust bars, a moldboard having co-axial pivotal connections with the front ends of said thrust bars to permit said moldboard to' rock forwardly and rearwardly, and means supported upon the first named frame for raising and lowering the moldboard and adjacent portions of the thrust bars.

3. A snow plow attachment for motor tractors comprising ,a lower cross bar having means for securement to the tractor to extend across the longitudinal center near the front end thereof, posts having their lower ends rigidly secured to opposite ends of the cross bar and extended upwardly therefrom, an upper cross bar secured to the upper ends of the posts, lengthwise bars secured to the upper ends of the cross bars at opposite sides of a longitudinal center to extend forwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a moldboard extending diagonally across and to opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the tractor some distance in front of the lower cross bar, thrust bars pivoted to the lower ends of the posts and diverging forwardly therefrom and having their front ends pivotally connected to opposite ends of the moldboard, additional thrust bars pivotally connected to the posts and converging forwardl therefrom and pivotally connected to the lntermediate portion of the moldboard, a bell crank lever pivotally connected at its angle to the front ends of said lengthwise bars and having its opposite arms diverging forwardly from its pivot, flexible connections between one of said arms and the moldboard, and a tackle connecting the other arm with the rear end of said lengthwise bars and operable at will for raising and lowering the moldboard.

' 4. A snow plow having a concavo-convex moldboard extending diagonally across the longitudinal centerof the vehicle, and a shoe operably mounted on the moldboard to extend across the underside of and some distance forwardly beyond the front face of the moldboard and having its front end inclined upwardly and forwardly to guide the plow over obstructions when propelled forwardly, said shoe being located adjacent the end of the moldboard extending farthest forwardly, a brace connecting the front upturned end of the shoe to the moldboard, a guard rail' 

